The impact of digital kangaroo care education on father-infant attachment: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Aim:

This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of a digitally-delivered educational intervention, specifically kangaroo care (KC) training administered to expectant fathers during the antenatal period, on improving postpartum father-infant attachment.

Method:

A randomised controlled educational intervention experimental study wasconducted between December 2022 and June 2023 at a semi-urban district state hospital in a province in southeastern Türkiye. It involved a total of 50 fathers (intervention group n = 25; control group n = 25). The educational methodology utilised mobile health (m-Health) technology. Fathers in the intervention group received detailed KC training via a dedicated instructional video distributed by WhatsApp during the antenatal period. Postpartum, the same fathers were asked to perform KC for at least 30 minutes per session, achieving a mean application time of 3.92 hours. The control group received no intervention. Father-infant attachment was assessed in both groups using the Paternal-Infant Attachment Questionnaire (PPAQ) via telephone follow-up during the first and fourth months postpartum, and the resulting mean scores were compared.

Results:

The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups at both the first and fourth months postpartum (p < .05). The fathers who received the digital KC training demonstrated significantly higher mean scores on the PPAQ, specifically across the key sub-dimensions of patience and tolerance, pleasure in interaction, and love and pride, as well as the total mean score.

Conclusion:

The findings affirm that the practice of KC, when effectively promoted through a scalable and accessible mobile health (WhatsApp) educational intervention delivered antenatally, had a significant positive effect on strengthening father-infant attachment in the postpartum period. Study findings support the integration of digital tools to expand the reach and impact of key health education practices to engage fathers.